Kennedy kicks off re-election bid in Taunton

TAUNTON — Before Joseph Kennedy III walked into the BaHa Brothers Sandbar Grill to announce his candidacy for a second term in Congress, he explained why he chose Taunton to kick off his campaign.

“It’s the heart of the district,” he said late Saturday afternoon.

The 33-year-old Kennedy — whose 4th Congressional District extends south from the suburbs of Boston through Taunton and Fall River — said the loyalty and support of Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr. played into his decision to come to Taunton instead of a larger city.

He also added that “it’s a chance to touch base with my volunteers.”

Nearly 200 Kennedy supporters squeezed into a side room of the popular Taunton watering hole. Local elected officials who came to show their support included city councilors Sherry Costa Hanlon, Donald Cleary and Jeanne Quinn.

Former U.S. Rep. William Delahunt, state treasurer candidate Tom Conroy, former Taunton mayor Robert Nunes and state Sen. Marc Pacheco, D-Taunton, were also on hand.

Kennedy, whose father was a U.S. representative, said he’ll continue to seek funding for the Taunton area in the form of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) educational and workforce development programs.

He praised Pacheco, calling him “an extraordinary senator,” for past efforts to fully develop Myles Standish Industrial Park, which now includes land set aside for a life sciences training center and campus.

Kennedy said he and fellow Democrats will continue fighting “tooth and nail” to raise the national minimum wage rate.

He also criticized the Supreme Court’s recent 5-4 decision to eliminate a cap on how much an individual can contribute to federal candidates within a two-year cycle.

State representatives, unlike U.S. senators, are elected every two years.

“It’s troubling, but money never trumps boots on the ground,” Kennedy said, urging his supporters to utilize traditional grassroots techniques of going door to door.

Hoye thanked Kennedy for his support of both the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program and Community Development Block Grant to ensure that lower-income residents have an opportunity for affordable housing.

Hoye said Taunton owes a debt of gratitude to Kennedy for $1.2 million in combined funds for affordable housing and a $300,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration for upgrades and improvements to the city’s municipal airport.

“I’m proud to endorse him,” Hoye told the crowd.

Both Hoye and Pacheco noted the local and national problem of increased recreational use of highly addictive opioids. Nine people have died of heroin overdoses in Taunton since the beginning of the year.

Pacheco, during his endorsement speech, pointed out that Kennedy supports a bill that would ban the FDA-approved Zohydro ER, which has been described as an extremely potent and potentially addictive painkiller.

Kennedy called Delahunt, who since retiring from politics has been a lobbyist for both the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and a nonprofit that was granted provisional licenses to open three medical marijuana dispensaries, a “mentor and friend.”

The Mashpee tribe is waiting for final federal approval to develop a $500 million casino facility in East Taunton.

Kennedy, who for now is running unopposed, urged supporters not to take anything for granted, especially when it comes to supporting Democratic initiatives.

“We’ve got a long way to go,” he said.

He also displayed a lighthearted sense of humor. After being introduced by Hoye, a smiling Kennedy said: “I couldn’t have said it any better. Thank you.”

TAUNTON — Before Joe Kennedy III walked into the BaHa Brothers Sandbar Grill to announce his candidacy for a second term in Congress, he explained why he chose Taunton to kick off his campaign.“It’s the heart of the district,” he said late Saturday afternoon.The 33-year-old Kennedy — whose 4th Congressional District extends south from the suburbs of Boston through Taunton and Fall River — said the loyalty and support of Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr. played into his decision to come to Taunton instead of a larger city.He also added that “it’s a chance to touch base with my volunteers.”Nearly 200 Kennedy supporters squeezed into a side room of the popular Taunton watering hole. Local elected officials who came to show their support included city councilors Sherry Costa Hanlon, Donald Cleary and Jeanne Quinn.Former U.S. Rep. William Delahunt, state treasurer candidate Tom Conroy, former Taunton mayor Robert Nunes and state Sen. Marc Pacheco, D-Taunton, were also on hand.Kennedy, whose father was a U.S. representative, said he’ll continue to seek funding for the Taunton area in the form of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) educational and workforce development programs.He praised Pacheco, calling him “an extraordinary senator,” for past efforts to fully develop Myles Standish Industrial Park, which now includes land set aside for a life sciences training center and campus.Kennedy said he and fellow Democrats will continue fighting “tooth and nail” to raise the national minimum wage rate. He also criticized the Supreme Court’s recent 5-4 decision to eliminate a cap on how much an individual can contribute to federal candidates within a two-year cycle.State representatives, unlike U.S. senators, are elected every two years.“It’s troubling, but money never trumps boots on the ground,” Kennedy said, urging his supporters to utilize traditional grassroots techniques of going door to door.Hoye thanked Kennedy for his support of both the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program and Community Development Block Grant to ensure that lower-income residents have an opportunity for affordable housing.Hoye said Taunton owes a debt of gratitude to Kennedy for $1.2 million in combined funds for affordable housing and a $300,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration for upgrades and improvements to the city’s municipal airport.“I’m proud to endorse him,” Hoye told the crowd.Both Hoye and Pacheco noted the local and national problem of increased recreational use of highly addictive opioids. Nine people have died of heroin overdoses in Taunton since the beginning of the year.Pacheco, during his endorsement speech, pointed out that Kennedy supports a bill that would ban the FDA-approved Zohydro ER, which has been described as an extremely potent and potentially addictive painkiller.Kennedy called Delahunt, who since retiring from politics has been a lobbyist for both the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and a nonprofit that was granted provisional licenses to open three medical marijuana dispensaries, a “mentor and friend.”The Mashpee tribe is waiting for final federal approval to develop a $500 million casino facility in East Taunton.Kennedy, who for now is running unopposed, urged supporters not to take anything for granted, especially when it comes to supporting Democratic initiatives.“We’ve got a long way to go,” he said.He also displayed a lighthearted sense of humor. After being introduced by Hoye, a smiling Kennedy said: “I couldn’t have said it any better. Thank you.”